Weatherby Sorix
The obvious choice for uplanders from Weatherby’s latest launches would be the Turkish-built Orion Side by Side (because what uplander doesn’t appreciate an attractive double?) but the even newer Sorix repeater steals the win here.
Designed around an inertia-driven recoil system, the Italian-made Sorix is purpose-built for hunters. There are oversized controls, a receiver cut for faster reloads, and the receiver is drilled and tapped for optics mounting along with a fiber-optic front sight.
What’s wildly different on the Sorix is Weatherby’s Shift System, an ambidextrous, reversible charging handle that quickly pops from the right to left side of the receiver. The safety can be easily swapped from right to left-operating as well.
Buyers have a choice of three color variants (Storm, Slough, and Midnight Marsh), each with hand-painted stocks and Cerakote. They’re available in three configurations, each with a 28-inch barrel: 12-gauge 3.5-inch, 12-gauge 3.5-inch, and 20-gauge 3-inch. The Sorix ships with a set of five choke tubes and retails for $1,499.
Alps Outdoorz Upland Game Vests
We’ve long appreciated, and put through hard use, Alps Outdoorz packs and turkey vests. For 2024, Alps is launching a redesigned upland vest with the Upland Game Vest 2.0. It’s a modular system using an expandable, removable waist best with an incredibly generous 30 inches of adjustment. There are handy shell pockets and others with one-hand-opening magnetic closures, including one that doubles as a gun rest.
The game pouch has 16 inches of adjustment for ample hauling capacity. A lightweight, vented back and thin shoulder straps aim for all-day hunter comfort, as does the hydration-compatible build with two elastic water bottle pockets. The vest, which will be shipping this summer, retails for $199.99 and is available in either Coyote Brown or Blaze Orange.
Federal Prairie Storm Bismuth Blend
There’s no denying Federal is dominating the upland space these days, and while choosing just one new offering is tricky, we’re liking the new Prairie Storm Bismuth Blend. Buying specialty shots like bismuth can get pricey, so this offers a partial mix of the bismuth blended with premium steel. That’s all packed into the company’s FliteControl Flex wad for longer range and more uniform patterns.
With the 30-percent bismuth payload paired with steel, the rounds meet non-toxic ammunition requirements. The loads, launching with six different options, can be had in both 12 and 20 gauge. Of particular note, the bismuth used in Federal’s latest shotshells is cast in-house by partner company Hevi-Shot, which also loads some mean upland rounds. Prairie Storm Bismuth Blend retails from $41.99 per 25-round box.
Hevi-Shot Bismuth
The master of crafting specialty shots, including bismuth, is now offering a number of serious upland shotshells. We’re intrigued by continuing additions to the Hevi Bismuth Upland family. The shotshells are loaded entirely with Hevi’s own 9.6 g/cc bismuth pellets cast in Sweet Home, Oregon.
Bismuth’s popularity is driven in large part by two major factors: First comes the metal’s non-toxic nature and increased kinetic energy, with more density when compared to steel. In fact, Hevi touts these as being 22 percent denser than steel, while also delivering more pellets on target.
Further, bismuth has long been considered safe for fixed choke barrels, including both modern and classic shotguns. For 2024, Hevi Bismuth Upland can be had in 20-, 16-, and 12-gauge offerings in a number of shot sizes and loads. The 25-round boxes retail from $61.99 - $76.99.
Browning A5 in 20 gauge
With roots in one of the finest American shotguns of all time in the original Auto-5, Browning continues to revamp its “new” A5. Heretofore, the company has only been building 12- and 16-gauge versions of the A5. New for 2024, hunters can relish a 20-gauge variant that’s especially interesting to uplanders because it’s built on a smaller, lighter frame with an aluminum alloy receiver that equates to a sub-6-pounder.
It still retains the recoil-operated kinematic drive action, TurnKey magazine plug, and 100,000-round guarantee. The young 20 wears gloss-finished Turkish walnut furniture with cut checkering. Buyers have a choice of either a 26- or 28-inch barrel. There’s also a fiber-optic front sight, ivory mid bead, and three Invector DS choke tubes. The 20-gauge humpback A5 retails for $1,979.99.
Ruff Land Kennels Gen 2
There’s no denying bird dogs stole the show at Pheasant Fest, so it’s no surprise that a pup-centric product found this list. We were impressed with the quality and features of Ruff Land’s USA-made products, including the new Gen 2 Performance Kennels. These updated kennels use one-piece, roto-molded construction, making them easier to clean, stronger, and roomier than many competitor designs.
They’re said to be built safer with Ruff-Flex racecar inspired technology, helping protect our four-legged friends in case of a dreaded vehicle accident. If that’s not enough, more colors are coming for spring 2024 along with the addition of top handles for easier moving. Various sizes are available from Small to X-Large, with both backseat and airline kennel options as well.
Mossberg Eventide O/U
While the main focus at Mossberg was its 940 Pro series of repeaters, it’s the new International Silver Reserve Eventide family of over-unders that hold some interesting appeal for turkey, waterfowl, and even upland hunters.
The latest round of Eventide doubles come in 28-, 20- and 12-gauges. Turkey variants are covered in Mossy Oak at Greenleaf camouflage, while those considered waterfowl builds pair camo stocks with Cerakote barrels and could certainly see use for the pursuit of game birds.
In addition, the Eventide offers several lower-cost, blacked-out models with synthetic stocks. If none of those scratch the affordable upland itch, Mossberg continues to catalog additional options from .410 bore through 12-gauge in classy variants with a satin silver receiver and satin black walnut stocks. Retail pricing on the Silver Series starts at only $756.
Winchester SX4 Leftie
At long last, we can include a listing just for you southpaws seeking a quality repeating shotgun. Winchester is bulking up its left-handed SX4 shotgun lineup this year. The autoloaders use Winchester’s proven Active Valve gas system, which requires no adjustment to transition from light target loads to the heaviest magnum hunting loads.
The lefties are available in multiple 12-gauge variants, with either 3 or 3.5-inch chambers and 26- or 28-inch barrels. There are composite stocks in either black synthetic or various camouflages, along with TruGlo fiber-optic sights, an Inflex recoil pad, and three Invector Plus choke tubes.
While there’s also an SX4 Left Hand Waterfowl Hunter in full camo coverage, we think uplanders will appreciate the Hybrid Hunter, with its choice of multiple stock camo patterns against corresponding Cerakote metalwork. Old-school hunters will gravitate toward the SX4 Field Left Hand with its matte black metal against walnut dress. The SX4 lefties retail from $1,159.99.
